Don't cross the line of decency: Sharmila Tagore

According to Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification Sharmila Tagore, filmmakers can't show everything in the name of adult entertainment. The yesteryear screen goddess advocates censorship norms for television as well.

According to Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification Sharmila Tagore, filmmakers can't show everything in the name of adult entertainment. The yesteryear screen goddess advocates some kind of censorship norms for television as well.

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As chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, what do you feel about nudity on screen?
You can't show everything in the name of adult entertainment. One should not cross the dotted line of decency. The people themselves want a certain kind of censorship. Recently we had lodged a complaint with the government and the police regarding an obscene film poster.

Do you think television content also needs to be censored?
Certainly. There should be some sort of censorship for television too. Much of what is shown on the small screen is meant for adults but we don't call it obscene. The same scenes, if shown in films, would be regarded as indecent. Remember, while access to adult films in cinema halls is restricted only to adults, everyone including children are free to watch TV at home.

What about censorship laws in the country? Do you think they should be revised?
Laws governing the Censor Board were framed in 1952. Many areas are still beyond the jurisdiction of Board laws and the time has come to review them.

Are you framing any new guideline?
Yes we are. But censorship means huge responsibilities. We need more people on the Board to share our workload.